Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Allentown, PA: $32.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Allentown, PA runs $32.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,298 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Allentown's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.0, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $32.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,372 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Allentown, Pennsylvania, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly rate of $32.35, which is slightly below the national median of $33.77. This hourly rate translates into significant earnings for part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week. They often find opportunities in diverse settings like outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health visits, which adapt well to flexible schedules. For those at the entry level, starting rates can be around $28.45, while more experienced professionals can earn up to $38.73 per hour. These figures are based on projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and highlight the potential for growth within the profession.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.45 | $227.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.90 | $239.24 |
| Median (P50) | $32.35 | $258.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.36 | $298.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.73 | $309.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Allentown
Based on $32.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.35/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Allentown, PA can expect to earn approximately $67,287 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,820. With a cost-of-living index of 99.97 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Allentown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Allentown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,293.99 | $5,607 | $67,287 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $776.39 | $3,364 | $40,372 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $517.59 | $2,243 | $26,915 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Allentown) | $32.35 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Allentown, PA earn a median of $67,298 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.20% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 6.20% above the Pennsylvania state average of $63,370.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.35/hr = $40,372/year (purchasing power: $40,385).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,287/year (purchasing power: $67,309).
CoL index: 99.968 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Allentown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Allentown grew 16.4% from $27.06/hr (2019) to $31.49/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.23/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Allentown metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Allentown
Focusing on part-time earnings, a physical therapist assistant working 24 hours a week might take home approximately $40,163 annually, compared to a full-time worker's income. For those working per diem, pay can range from $32 to $48 per hour, depending on the institution's budget and demands. Travel PTA contracts can be particularly lucrative, offering weekly earnings between $1,200 and $1,800. However, setting up contracts in skilled nursing facilities often results in lower hourly rates, especially since the 15% Medicare cut affected reimbursement rates. Variability exists across employment types; outpatient orthopedic clinics generally offer better compensation compared to home health agencies and hospital settings. Personal negotiation can often yield better terms, and many PTAs sometimes choose a higher hourly wage without benefits over a lower rate that includes health insurance. Exploring all options available is key, especially within the evolving landscape of physical therapist assistant pay in Allentown.
More salary data for Allentown, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Allentown in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Allentown?
Are physical therapist assistants in Allentown paid hourly or salary?
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Written by Jordan Lee, DPT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Allentown. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov